Gender and energy: a two-way relationship between access and equality

The relationship between gender and energy access is mutually reinforcing: access to clean energy promotes gender equality, while gender equality enhances the effectiveness and sustainability of energy systems.

Addressing both simultaneously enables a future in which women and girls not only benefit from equitable access to energy but also play a central role in shaping the energy systems of tomorrow.

This interconnection is essential for unlocking sustainable development and social justice in Uganda and beyond. Globally, millions of women and girls face barriers to energy access that significantly affect their health, education, livelihoods and quality of life.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 3.2 million people die annually from indoor air pollution; with women and children being the most vulnerable. The use of traditional biomass fuels, such as firewood and charcoal, contributes to chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.

Expanding access to cleaner cooking technologies can drastically reduce these health burdens and enhance life expectancy and well-being for women and girls. Energy access also directly affects educational outcomes, particularly for girls.

Without electricity, many girls are unable to study after dark and often spend long hours collecting firewood – time that could otherwise be spent in school or earning an income. A 2017 study in rural northern Bangladesh showed that introducing solar lamps significantly increased children’s study hours, with a marked benefit for girls.

Improved education strengthens future employment prospects and financial independence, thereby addressing systemic gender inequalities. While energy access advances gender equality, the reverse is also true: empowering women improves energy systems.

Women are not just consumers, they are innovators, decision-makers and community leaders. Inclusive participation of women in energy policy, planning and implementation leads to solutions that are more effective, efficient and contextually-appropriate.

Historically, women have been excluded from formal roles in energy governance. However, as the global energy landscape shifts toward decentralized and renewable energy systems, there is growing recognition of the critical role women play in ensuring community acceptance and long-term success of energy projects.

To unlock the full potential of gender-energy synergies, governments and organizations must: adopt gender-responsive energy policies; integrate gender perspectives into energy planning; invest in women’s education, especially in STEM fields; and support women-led enterprises in energy access initiatives.

Programs such as Women in Energy Uganda have shown success in increasing female participation across the sector. Scaling such initiatives can transform not just the role of women in energy but the entire sector’s ability to meet national sustainability goals.

In conclusion, by addressing gender equality and energy access as interdependent goals, we can create a future where women and girls are not only beneficiaries of clean energy, but drivers of innovation and leadership in the energy transition.

Inclusive energy systems are essential for achieving sustainable development, social justice, and economic equity. Working together to bridge the energy gap and empower women will lead us toward a more just, resilient, and sustainable world.

The writer is a compliance engineer at the Electricity Regulatory Authority.